Flex Gardener

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Horticulture and Grounds. Serves as the horticulturist/gardener providing skilled gardening assistance to the zone gardeners on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. This horticulturist rotates through the garden zones as needed, helping to maintain and care for ornamental beds, trees, and shrubs, as well as the overall appearance of zones.

Duties & Responsibilities

Consults with Horticulture Director and zone gardeners to determine the most pressing gardening needs on the Close, then concentrates on assisting the zone gardener to meet the identified needs.
Maintains ornamental beds by mulching, weeding, raking, and pruning plants.
Recognizes and reports pests and diseases.
Recognizes and reports problems such as wilting, leaf scorch, or nutrient deficiencies.
Recognizes and responds to water demands of plant material.
Operates all equipment and tools safely and properly.
Follows proper techniques of soil preparation, plant installation, and pesticide application.
Keeps hardscapes in area blown, edged, and cleaned. Keeps drains and catch basins clear.
Empties trash cans in assigned area on a regular basis & picks up litter.
Shovels snow, spreads sand and salt, and safely operates snow removal equipment.
Identifies planting areas that could be improved and shares ideas with the Zone Gardener and Director of Horticulture.
Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Work Behaviors:

Arrives to work on time. Keeps absences within department guidelines and schedules time off in advance.
Pursues training and development activities and strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.
Follows policies and procedures and completes tasks correctly and on time.
Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, displays commitment to excellence, looks for ways to improve and promote quality and applies feedback to improve performance.
Works efficiently while achieving established goals.
Observes safety and security procedures, uses equipment and materials properly and reports potentially unsafe conditions.
Competent in required job skills and knowledge, including safety procedures, exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills, requires minimal supervision and displays understanding of how job relates to others.
Exhibits good listening and comprehension skills. Keeps others adequately informed.
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with co-workers and supervisor(s), exhibits tact and consideration, displays positive outlook and pleasant manner, offers assistance and support to co-workers, works cooperatively in group situations and works actively to resolve conflict.
Takes responsibility for own actions, follows instructions, commits to doing the best job possible and responds to requests for service and assistance (from supervisors and co-workers).
Takes initiative: volunteers readily, seeks increased responsibilities and asks for help when needed.
Ability to work as part of a team by balancing team and individual responsibilities, exhibiting objectivity and openness to others’ views, giving and welcoming feedback, contributing to building a positive team spirit, and putting the success of the team above own interests.
Dresses appropriately for position and keeps self well-groomed

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

One-year experience in public gardening including landscape and grounds maintenance and/or degree in horticulture or related field preferred.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and good driving record and be capable of operating vehicles safely.
Successful completion of periodic background checks, including FBI background check, and, at the discretion of the PECF, drug and alcohol screening.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of plant materials, proper maintenance techniques, and horticultural practices.
Understanding of Integrated Pest Management techniques.
Ability to plan a project and follow through to completion, including cleanup.
Ability to work amicably within a diverse and multicultural workforce.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to self-direct and work alone with little to no supervision.
Ability to operate all types of grounds maintenance equipment such as mowers, power sweepers, sprayers, blowers, trimmers, aerators, and tillers, safely.
Good interpersonal, communication, and literacy skills.
Basic computer skills required.

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

Normal schedule is Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Must have flexible schedule to accommodate weather and special projects.
Must be able to work required overtime, often with little notice (snow removal, storm damage). Scheduled overtime includes annual events.
Must be able to work outside in inclement weather including extreme cold and heat, high winds, rain and snow.
Must be able to perform physical work including bending, stooping and reaching. Must be able to work on feet for extended periods of time and to lift, carry, and push at least 30 lbs.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should visit pecf.org. Click on Employment, Opportunities – scroll down to “Click here for PECF Opportunities” to apply.